Can aquaporins be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers for uterine smooth muscle tumours?

Generally, uterine leiomyosarcoma is easily diagnosed. However, uterine smooth muscle tumours which show atypical histological features and unusual growth patterns may mimic malignancy and may not be easily diagnosed. In this study, our aim is to show the expressions of Aquaporin3, Aquaporin7 and Aquaporin9 in uterine smooth muscle tumours, and to investigate if aquaglyceroporins can be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers to start rapidly an appropriate treatment for patients with these tumours in order to extend the survival time. We determined that there had been 74 patients diagnosed with uterine smooth muscle tumours. We divided patients into four groups based on the diagnosis: bizarre leiomyoma, smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential, leiomyosarcoma and leiomyoma. Aquaporin3, Aquaporin7 and Aquaporin9 were detected by using monoclonal anti-Aquaporin3, anti-Aquaporin7 and anti-Aquaporin9 antibodies, respectively. In leiomyosarcoma group, we observed a statistically significant relation of Aquaporin3 expression with survival time, grade, stage, mitotic index and Ki-67 score. A significant relation of both Aquaporin7 and Aquaporin9 expressions with survival time, grade, stage was not statistically detected in leiomyosarcoma group. The decrease of Aquaporin3 expression can be used as important diagnostic and prognostic marker. Aquaporin7 and Aquaporin9 expressions cannot be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers.